Adjustable thread separating needle for warp tying-in machines



Feb. 11, 1964 GRQNERT 3,120,691

ADJUSTABLE THREAD SEPARATING NEEDLE FOR WARP TYING-IN MACHINES Filed May 51, 1962 INVENTOR. Paul 6 'r'a'n e r t United States Patent ADEUSTABLE T -it AD EPARATING NEEDLE FOR WARP TYHNG=EN MACl-HNES Paul Griinert, Friedberg, near Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, assignor to Knotex Maschinenhau Geseiischaft rnit heschriinltter Haftnng, Augsburg, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed May 31, 1962, Ser. No. 19%) Claims priority, application Germany July 5, 1961 5 Claims. (Cl. 2849) For the purpose of avoiding the necessity of keeping in stock a larger number of thread separating needles for separating single threads from a thread layer as used in tying, thread carrying and other machines of this sort, adjustable thread separating needles have been known. Depending on the kind of needle shape used, several different designs have been developed. The invention relates to such adjustable thread separating needles which consist of a needle point adjustable in relation to an edge feeler facing it, the arrangement being so that the needle point is a lateral spur to the edge feeler.

The invention intends to improve a thread separating needle of this kind regarding simplicity of construction, safety and reliability of operation.

The new feature according to this invention is to be seen in the fact that the needle point is rigidly mounted on the needle shaft, and that the edge feeler is on an adjusting bar capable of being adjustable in relation to the needle shaft by means of an engaging adjusting nut, the displacement being in parallelism and the arrangement being such that the point of the needle protrudes more or less beyond the bevel of the edge feeler. In contrast to a known type of scissor-like straddling needle points, in this invention the needle point changes neither its spatial distance from the needle shaft support on the machine nor its angular spatial position with regard to the thread layer so that the most favourable position, once adjusted, is maintained unchanged. This invention provides two components only, adjustable in relation to one another. Hinges, joints and other elements incurring play have been avoided. Shoving onto the thread to be separated from the layer with this movement starting from the bevel on the edge feeler, that is with a lateral component towards the flank of the needle point, guarantees that the thread will be caught accurately without fault, and without danger of running through the thread with the needle point or damaging the thread by it, since the shoving of the thread onto the bevel makes ineffective all vibrations that might occur with a touching of the tensioned thread.

Because cooperating surfaces of the needle point and the edge feeler are flat, all rotary displacement of the two components is prevented.

A Vernier graduation on the adjusting bar is coordinated to a graduation on the needle shaft in such a way that the number of revolutions of the adjusting nut may be read, this adjusting nut being rotatably displaceable in relation to a marking line on the adjusting bar coupling and in accordance with a scale. This enables a spreading of divisions to two scales and results in a number of adjustments very large according to an arithmetic series. With this arrangement, the adjustment can be effected both infinitely variable and manually without mechanical aids to a degree of fineness hitherto unknown according to calibrated graduations.

A practical application of this invention is shown in the drawing which represents a thread separating needle designed for a warp typing machine and in which FIG. 1 shows the elevation longitudinally to the thread direction,

FIG. 2 shows a view at right angles to FIG. 1, partially in cross section,

FIG. 3 shows a section of another construction,

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show two needle adjustments differing in width, and

FIG. 6 shows a section in the plane II through FIG. 1.

The needle shaft 1 is provided with a head portion 2 having a clamping element 3 permitting securement to the machine in any desired level and position, the other end of the needle shaft showing the needle point 11 having a shape as represented in FIG. 4. A threaded portion 6 with an adjusting nut 5 is on the needle shaft below the head portion 2. Because the pitch of the thread is very small, several complete revolutions are provided for the adjustment range. Between two annular shoulders 5', the adjusting nut 5 engages the annular coupling box 4 on the bar 4, the other end of which carries the edge feeler 12 which is provided with the bevel 12 within the range of the needle point 11. At 9, the adjusting bar 4 encloses the needle shaft 1, the enclosure being tight enough to provide close contact of the flats 10 and 10' of the needle point 11 and the edge feeler 12. This not only prevents rotary displacement of the adjusting bar 4 but also ensures proper cooperation of the two compo nents as thread separating needle. Whilst FIG. 4 shows the action on a thread 19 of maximum thickness, FIG. 5 illustrates the adjustment for a thread of minimum thickness. The adjustment is readable by means of a scale 14 on the adjusting nut 5 in connection with a marking 13 on the annular coupling box 4 in further connection with a scale 8 on the needle shaft 1 facing a Vernier graduation 3 on the adjusting bar 4, with any two divisions in alignment whenever a 360-degree revolution of the adjusting nut 5 is completed.

Whilst FIGS. 1 and 2 show a locking arrangement by means of the clamping screw 15 to be effected whenever an adjustment is completed, FIG. 3 shows a self-locking fibre element 16 inserted in the adjusting nut, frictionally engaging the coupling box 4' and frictionally resisting rotation of nut 5 to maintain an adjustable position.

The manner in which the needle functions is disclosed, for example, in the US. patent to Crandall, 2,369,536. Further, the drive mechanism is similar to that disclosed in applicants copending application Serial No. 199,038, filed May 31, 1962.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable needle for separating threads com prising an elongated needle shaft terminating in a lower, substantially angular point, an elongated edge feeler bar secured for relative longitudinal movement on said needle shaft and including a lower beveled edge intersecting the angular point of said needle whereby different capacity thread notches can be formed, and adjustable means connected between said needle shaft and bar for adjusting said needle point and beveled edge with respect to each other.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said edge feeler bar includes a portion projecting beneath said beveled edge.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said edge feeler bar and needle shaft include flat surfaces disposed in juxtaposed relation.

4. The structure of claim 1 in which said adjustable means comprises a nut element circumposed about the upper end of said edge feeler bar and said needle shaft, said needle shaft including an upper threaded end engaged by said nut element.

5. The structure of claim 1 in which said adjusting means includes means for locking said needle shaft and edge feeler bar in a relatively fixed position.

References (lifted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,369,536 Crandall Feb. 13, 1945 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE NEEDLE FOR SEPARATING THREADS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED NEEDLE SHAFT TERMINATING IN A LOWER, SUBSTANTIALLY ANGULAR POINT, AN ELONGATED EDGE FEELER BAR SECURED FOR RELATIVE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT ON SAID NEEDLE SHAFT AND INCLUDING A LOWER BEVELED EDGE INTERSECTING THE ANGULAR POINT OF SAID NEEDLE WHEREBY DIFFERENT CAPACITY THREAD NOTCHES CAN BE FORMED, AND ADJUSTABLE MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID NEEDLE SHAFT AND BAR FOR ADJUSTING SAID NEEDLE POINT AND BEVELED EDGE WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER. 